President-elect and newly appointed leader of Swapo, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, promises a major shake-up in the legislature, as numerous members of the executive face dismissal.
This move is part of her deliberate effort to reduce the number of Cabinet ministers to between 12 and 15, with no deputies.
Currently, Namibia has a total of 21 ministries, headed by both ministers and their deputies, including the Office of the Prime Minister.

Confidente has been reliably informed that once inaugurated, Nandi-Ndaitwah will eliminate the positions of Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, which are perceived as mere salary collectors with no concrete contribution to the daily running of the government.

“Namibians should brace themselves for lots of surprises. NNN (Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah) is determined to save resources and establish a lean Cabinet to ensure that decision-making becomes a seamless process,” a source, who pleaded for anonymity, told Confidente this week.

According to the well-placed source, the president-elect wants to ensure synergy between the Swapo party manifesto and the execution of work in the Cabinet, which will be composed of her few trusted ‘lieutenants.’
This aligns with Nandi-Ndaitwah’s assertion during her first press briefing after the elections, where she did not mince words in stating that those unwilling to align with the Swapo manifesto should “either shape up or ship out.”
Previous administrations have produced various developmental project proposals, most of which are still collecting dust in government offices rather than being implemented. According to the source, this has led the president-elect to adopt a paradigm shift in her approach to project delivery. Her primary focus, Confidente was told, is on the practical implementation of development plans, moving away from mere rhetoric.

“In her view, a bloated Cabinet and legislature can be counterproductive, as decision-making becomes sluggish, whereas a smaller team is more manageable. Additionally, having an excessive number of lawmakers contributes to resource wastage in terms of salaries and other benefits,” the source revealed, hinting that Nandi-Ndaitwah is inspired by countries like China, whose parliament has only about 15 seats.

FIGHTING CORRUPTION, CREATING JOBS

Confidente has learned that Nandi-Ndaitwah is on a serious crusade to curb corruption in favour of job creation, aiming to alleviate poverty. “As such, she is looking at having a youthful squad,” the source added.
“You will be shocked that [Elijah] Ngurare might become the Prime Minister,” the source revealed.
Ngurare, a former Swapo Youth League leader, currently serves as a Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform. He made it onto the Swapo National Assembly list as one of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s 10 appointees during the Swapo electoral college.
The source further revealed that former freedom fighter, broadcaster-turned-diplomat Charles Mubita is being considered for a position in the new administration.
“Mubita’s suitability is being assessed for one of two ministries: International Relations or Defence,” the source disclosed.
Also under consideration is the current Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, who, according to the source, might be appointed as the Minister of Justice.

Shifeta competed for the presidential nomination against Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Swapo party primaries, along with Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila. 
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and Shifeta scored 270 and 91 votes, respectively, against Nandi-Ndaitwah’s winning 421 votes.
“Former Health Minister Bernard Haufiku is being considered to return to the health ministry, while many other ministries will be merged,” the source stated, adding that the National Planning Commission of Namibia will be housed under the Ministry of International Relations.

Nandi-Ndaitwah is said to be serious about employment creation. “The Ministry of Labour will be strengthened to propel the government as the driving force for job creation,” the source revealed. Additionally, all Executive Directors suspected of maladministration and corruption will be dismissed.

It has further emerged that Nandi-Ndaitwah is prioritizing nuclear power, given Namibia’s abundant natural resources, particularly uranium. As such, the much-hyped Green Hydrogen programme could be sidelined.
Another source has suggested that Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, who by March next year will have spent a decade at the Office of the Prime Minister, may be headed to the National Assembly as Speaker, replacing Professor Peter Katjavivi, who is set to retire.
It remains unclear what position diplomat and Nandi-Ndaitwah’s campaign manager, Dr. Kaire Mbuende, will occupy in the new administration. However, well-placed sources indicate that “he will be properly accommodated.”

BRAVE STEP

Public Policy Analyst Dr. Marius Kudumo agreed that reducing the number of government ministries would be a great move in addressing bureaucracy within government departments.
“In Namibia, our public service has been too large compared to the population. Downsizing ministries is a necessary step,” Kudumo said, adding that an increased number of ministries fosters bureaucracy.
“Let’s wait and see. It will be a bold step toward a more efficient public service and will also reduce the government wage bill,” Kudumo emphasized.
According to him, “it is unacceptable that people are suffering despite Namibia’s wealth of resources. Access to government services should be prioritized at all costs.”

LONG OVERDUE

Political Scientist Rui Tyitende maintained that if confirmed, the reduction of ministries and the elimination of the Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister positions would be commendable decisions.
“If it is true that she intends to reduce the size of her Cabinet and eliminate the positions of Vice President and Deputy Prime Minister, then it is a bold move in the right direction. For too long, the central government has been bloated, overdeveloped in size, and underdeveloped in functionality,” Tyitende told Confidente this week.
Tyitende further noted that eliminating deputy minister positions would also be beneficial in curbing the ‘jobs for comrades’ culture.

“We all know that deputy minister positions are completely useless and irrelevant to the needs and aspirations of the Namibian public. They exist merely to accommodate and reward comrades who would otherwise be unemployable in both the public and private sectors,” Tyitende emphasized.
He also suggested that ministries such as ICT, Public Enterprises, and Gender should be downgraded to departments.
“There will be massive savings that can be redirected to pressing socioeconomic needs and specific targets she hopes to achieve. This reform is long overdue,” Tyitende concluded.